I think it's up to the family and the goals of the player. Value vs Cost or ROI. Everyone is different.
I would like to know what the numbers are for kids who attended a PG showcase or every showcase through HS that are actually playing or made a college team? The stats for transitioning to college ball from HS show a small percentage make it. Assuming all kids who go to showcases want to play at the next level, how many actually make it? We never paid to attend a showcase and things worked out, but i suspect there are loads of marginal players, as well as good players who bet on the come and lay the money down for the exposure and write ups.